“May Peace Prevail on Earth” it proclaims in six languages. This isn’t just a phrase painted on a building. This is the Heritage Tower of Peace in Minneapolis. Right here before you stands a 230-foot tall testament to a global ideal.
This remarkable structure a former grain elevator has been transformed into a powerful symbol of peace. Its story begins not in Minneapolis but far away in Japan in 1955. Born during the Cold War the Peace Pole movement spread globally. It arrived in the United States in the 1980s carried on the wings of peace activists like Melvin Giles.
In Minneapolis the transformation began in 2019. A partnership formed between Riverton Community Housing Project for Pride in Living and artist Sara Udvig. Udvig designed the mural that graces the tower today. The mural reflects the beauty of Minnesota’s rivers and birds. It’s a vibrant counterpoint to the stark white of the elevator’s structure.
The languages represented on the Heritage Tower of Peace are significant. Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) Arabic Dakota English Mandarin and Spanish stand together. These languages represent our shared humanity. They are a reminder of our interconnectedness. Udvig found the Anishinaabe and Dakota translations especially challenging. Many speakers of these languages are no longer alive. Their wisdom and voices are preserved however in the words painted on this tower.
The Heritage Tower of Peace isn’t just a pretty picture. It’s an active participant in the community. Giles served as a keynote speaker at its completion. He hopes the 30-year anniversary will be a joint Twin Cities celebration. The Peace Pole is meant to start conversations to create a space where everyone feels welcome.
While Minneapolis boasts the world’s largest Peace Pole St Paul also has many smaller ones. Minnesota has become the Peace Pole capital of the world. Imagine over 250000 Peace Poles of varying sizes across the globe. From Easter Island to Antarctica to the Eiffel Tower the message of peace spreads far and wide. Even the St Paul Police Department has embraced the message incorporating Peace Poles into some of their district buildings a first in the nation.
The Heritage Tower of Peace however stands out. It’s a bold statement in a city that’s always growing always changing. It reminds us that peace is a choice not a passive state. It is a constant work in progress. We can choose division or we can choose peace. This tower a beacon of hope stands as a constant reminder of what is possible. It’s a silent invitation to pause to reflect and to join the conversation for peace.